School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony

School of Communication & the Arts Master’s and Doctoral graduates, guests, and faculty.
Graduates receiving an associate or bachelor’s degree must attend the CAS Commissioning Friday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. on the Library Plaza.

Congratulations! You have made it to graduation! We are excited that you have decided to join us for our Commissioning Service and look forward to meeting your families and friends.

To commission someone is “to entrust, or to give authority” or “to appoint or assign to a task or function.” Within the context of our graduation, Commissioning is a sacred and holy time of worship, consecration, reflection, prayer, and anointing.

This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field. The schedule includes:

• Dean’s welcome
• Charge from our Founder and Chancellor, Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson
• Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
• Formal reading of graduate names and walking across the stage
• Formal hooding of graduates
• Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
• Professional headshots by Grad Images

To commission someone is “to entrust, or to give authority” or “to appoint or assign to a task or function.” Within the context of our graduation, Commissioning is a sacred and holy time of worship, consecration, reflection, prayer, and anointing.

The service will be streamed live beginning at 12:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, May 4.

Commencement (also known as graduation) will be held Saturday, May 6, beginning at 9:15 a.m. EST on the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information regarding Commencement.

You must RSVP for both the Commencement and Commissioning ceremonies. To RSVP for this event, please visit your personalized MyRegent portal. Within GENISYS under Student Services, you will be able to communicate your participation by completing the survey in the Commencement & Commissioning RSVP option no later than Friday, April 14, 2023.

Click here to view the Regent campus map. Area hotels: https://www.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/

REHEARSAL

There will be a rehearsal on Tuesday, May 2 in the Shaw Chapel at 10 a.m. It is highly recommended that you attend. Come as you are. We will be finished in about 30 minutes.

Regalia

Regalia is required for all graduation ceremonies. Regalia orders may be placed online through our trusted partner Oak Hall no later than Friday, April 14, 2023.  

For students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University, regalia must be picked up on campus at the Student Center. Graduates must present their picture ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Fountain View Room of the Regent Ordinary. Click here to view the Regent campus map.

The Registrar’s staff will only release regalia to someone other than the graduate if they have received prior written consent from the graduate at registrar@regent.edu. Graduates must send this written consent from their Regent email account.

Graduates not attending the Commissioning Service may pick up their regalia the morning of Commencement, beginning at 8:00 a.m.; however, they are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia in advance.

Graduates may not alter or decorate their regalia, including caps.

CEREMONY

Thursday, May 4 at 12:00 p.m. EST in the Shaw Chapel. Graduates are requested to line up at 11:30 a.m. on the Chapel Plaza outside in the front of Shaw Chapel. You are welcome to invite as many family and friends as you wish; no tickets required. Doors will open for guests at 11:30 a.m. for first-come seating.

COMMISSIONING CEREMONY PROCEDURE

On Thursday afternoon at 11:30 a.m., please come to the plaza in front of Shaw Chapel. Staff will direct graduates to the lineup. Wear your regalia and bring your hood. NO CAPS are needed for the commissioning service. Do not bring your cap. You will receive a program for the service when you arrive for the lineup. The procedure is as follows:

• You will line up alphabetically within degrees beginning with Ph.D., DSC, MFA in Acting, MFA in CTV, MA in CTV, MA in FTV, MA in Communication, MA in Journalism and MA in Theatre.
• You will be given an index card on which you will write your name how you want it to be read. (Sharpie provided!)
• You will enter the chapel precisely at 12:00 p.m. via processional led by a Student Marshal.
• You will have designated seats on the front right section.
• A reader will be at the podium/microphone and will call groups by degree program. A Student Marshal will lead you out of your row to process onto the stage for hooding.
• When you approach the podium, give your name card to the reader at the podium.
• When your name is called, proceed toward Dr. Tarr, who will be standing in the center of the stage. Hand Dr. Tarr your hood and turn to face the audience. Dr. Tarr will place your hood over your head and congratulate you. Proceed to stage left.
• You will remain on stage in a group for individual prayer and anointing by your department faculty.
• After you are anointed, each group will proceed stage right into the Choir Room for individual pictures and then will be led by a Student Marshal as a group back into the chapel to your row. You will return to a seat for the remainder of the service.
• At the end of the ceremony, a Student Marshal will direct you to the front of the chapel on the plaza. Doctoral graduates will take their own group picture on the outside front steps of the chapel. Then the remaining graduates will have their group picture taken on the front steps.

DRESS CODE

As this is a special occasion and you will be standing on stage, men should wear dress pants. Women should wear dress pants, a skirt or a dress. All graduates should wear dress shoes (heels or flats). Please do not wear jeans, tennis shoes or flip-flops. Females are not to bring handbags. Do not bring a purse or drink as you cannot take items on stage, and you will not return to your original seat.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything— including purses, bags, umbrellas, or cameras— into the ceremony. Graduates should leave all belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings prior to or during the service. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

Please keep in mind, there is no cost, tickets, or guest limit to attend the School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony.

For any accommodation or accessibility questions or concerns, please email disabilities@regent.edu or call at 757.352.4485.

Contact Margie Ackerman at mackerman@regent.edu for questions about the School of Communication & the Arts Commissioning Ceremony.